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Starting with Python

In other to start writing and executing programs to illustrate the concepts we have learnt so far, we have chosen to use the Python programming language. In this section, we install Python on MacOS and also show how Python can be installed on Windows machines.

“Everyone in this country should learn to program a computer because it teaches you to think.” - Steve Jobs.&nbsp;Many people view computer programming as a complex subject reserved for the very smart. It is actually not so if you know how to think about programming.In this course called "Programming Thinking", we will explain programming concepts in very simple terms in order to build your understanding and to help shape the way you think about computer programs.

Programming Thinking

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Functions II

Continuing with functions, we explain user-defined and built-in functions.As the names suggest, user-defined functions are custom functions defined by a developer writing a program while built-in functions are defined as part of the packages that come with the programming language.This sections takes a look at some of these different functions and how they can be called.

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A refresh on basic arithmetics

We go over arithmetic operators as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and modulo.We give different definitions and explanations on rational numbers, counting numbers, whole numbers, integers and quotients.&nbsp;

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Logical operations

Continuing with operands and operators, we are introduced to boolean algebra with simple truth tables using the ‘or’, ‘and’ and ‘not’ logical operators.

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Conditionals explained and practised

Conditionals show the different decision directions a program may take based on the result of an evaluation.This section looks at the ‘if’, ‘if..else’ and the ‘if…else if…else’ conditionals.

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Loops explained and practised

Loops allow the execution of a set of statements repeatedly as long as a condition holds true.This section explains loops with flow diagrams and Python programs.

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Operators and operands

This section introduces the different operators in most programming languages.The different operators are Assignment operators, Logical operators, Relational operators and Arithmetic operators.

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Special words in programming

Keywords are special words that are reserved for the compiler or the interpreter of a computer program.&nbsp;This section looks at many of the reserved keywords in Python.

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Relational operators

Relational operators allows the comparison of values and expressions. The result of relational operations is a boolean value (True or False).This section looks at these relational operators: ==, &gt;, &lt;, !=, &gt;=, &lt;=.

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Output formatting in Python

When writing programs, we may want to show some values or texts to the console for information, test and debugging purposes.This section shows how output formatting may be done.

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Dictionaries

Like lists, a dictionary is composite data type that allows the storage of key value pairs.&nbsp;Creation of dictionaries and how values may be stored and retrieved are explained in this section.

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Problem solving exercise II

In this section we go through the steps of analysing and solving the problem:<blockquote>Write a Python program that accepts a word from a user via the keyboard, checks if the word is a Palindrome and tells the user the result via console. The word must be at least two characters long.</blockquote>

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Accepting user inputs

Accepting user input is critical to interactive programs.&nbsp;In this section, we examine how to make your Python programs interactive by accepting user inputs through the keyboard.

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File handling

Sometimes, a program might need to use data that is stored on our file system. To be able to do this, a program must open and read the files(s) from the file system.Other times, we might want to generate reports for the results of some computations or operations within a program. The program should therefore be able to create and write files to the file system.This section explain how this can be done in Python.

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Understanding variables in programming

The concept of variables and datatypes are fundamental to understanding how a computer program works.Key statements:A variable is a reference to a storage location with or without data.Some programming languages (statically typed languages) require the declaration of the type of a storage. On the other hand, dynamically typed languages infer the types of data.Some statically typed programming languages are C and Java.&nbsp;Some dynamically typed programming languages are Python and JavaScript.&nbsp;

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Functions I

To avoid duplicating code within computer programs, functions are used to encapsulate blocks of code that may be called when needed.This section introduces functions.

Helpful references:<a href="https://docs.python-guide.org/">https://docs.python-guide.org/</a><a href="https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Computer_Science">https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Computer_Science</a>

References

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Your first Python program

First Python program to illustrate how the different operators are used.&nbsp;This section shows arithmetic, logical, relational and assignment operators in a working Python code.

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Lists and Strings

Lists and Strings are composite data types which are very important for any advanced computer program.This section takes a deep look at the storage of lists and strings. Further we show how they can be created and manipulated within a computer program.

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Introduction

“Everyone in this country should learn to program a computer because it teaches you to think.” - Steve Jobs.Take this course to change the way you think about computer programming and improve your thinking. Learning to program as a new skill will:<ul><li>Build your confidence.</li><li>Get your next job application to stand out.</li><li>Improve your problem problem solving and reasoning skills.</li><li>Understand complex systems easier.</li><li>Start your journey to become a Software developer.</li></ul>

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A computer program

This section explains what a computer program in simple terms and with everyday objects.Key statements:A computer program is a collection of instructions that a computer needs to follow in order to complete a specific task or to solve a particular problem.&nbsp;One can compare a computer program to a food recipe required to prepare a particular kind of food. If you take it to your personal life, the list of steps you take to complete a task at work is your program.&nbsp;Now, in order for the computer to understand the instructions, you need to speak its language. A programming language is a set of formal constructs or statements and expressions following a set of rules called syntax. Based on those rules, meanings (called semantics) are attached to the expressions in order to complete a task.&nbsp;Examples of programming languages are C, Python, JavaScript, Java, and many more.&nbsp;

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Problem solving exercise I

In this section we go through the steps of analysing and solving the problem:<blockquote>Write a Python program that accepts a whole number from a user via keyboard, checks if the number is a prime number and tells the user the result via console.</blockquote>

Code for exercise 1 to check whether a number is a prime number or not. Change file extension to .py into order to run it.

Programming Thinking

Starting with Python

Summary:

Programming Thinking

Instructor

Evans Boateng Owusu

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